Category Archives: STL

As far as culture goes in the STL area, the “bedroom community” (and my hometown) of St. Charles is not known for much. Unless you count wicker baskets and historical re-enactments as culture. As far as good beer goes, St. Charles has one “microbrewery” (Trailhead… although no one serious about beer ever really considers Trailhead) and about three “beer bars” (The Old Millstream Inn –awesome, Llywellyn’s Pub –whose beer list is largely AB-InBev products, and R.T. Weiller’s— although it seems people typically go to R.T.’s for the food and discover that they have a decent beer list). No one comes to St. Charles for beer. However, that might be changing.

For the past two months, I have been attending what Picasso’s Coffee House owner Chris Schulte has dubbed “Beer U”–an attempt at educating the masses about good beer (Full Disclosure: Beer U was a collaboration between Chris and myself–inasmuch as I begged Chris to do it 🙂) In a recent conversation, Chris talked about how beer–and specifically craft beer–fits in with his entrepreneurial vision. He said:

“At Picasso’s, we cater to the connoisseur. This person is looking for a beverage that is out of the ordinary, prepared with great care and skill. [Our] coffee and espresso beverages are truly unique…Similarly, in offering a beer and wine menu, we are try to cater to that same connoisseur (perhaps at a different time of day)… In tasting these drinks, we are all interested in the preparation or creation of these beverages. We taste them and look for body, finish and unique qualities in the beverage that set it apart from others.”

Beer U is an effort to broaden the horizons of the people who walk in the door. It attempts to take something that most people view as pedestrian (beer) and elevate it a bit. Much like what Picasso’s has done with coffee.

I must say that the Beer U events that I have attended (one in February and one in March) have been entertaining and informative. Representatives from the beer distributors come in and talk about a specific brewery. In February, we learned about Abita and in March, Sierra Nevada. I think wherever you find yourself on the Beer Geek Spectrum, you would definitely get something out of the evening. If nothing else, it’s a good way to meet like-minded Beer Geek individuals.

Tonight (April 27th, 2011) the featured brewery will be our neighbors to the West, Boulevard Brewing Company. We will be tasting some of the Smokestack Series (some of Boulevard’s best beers in my opinion). I even heard a rumor via Facebook that the distributor is bring some Chocolate Ale with him. Should be a great night. Come on out and get your Beer U knowledge for the month!

Details:Beer U
6:30 p.m.20 bucks gets you tastes of all the beers, appetizers from Frankie Tocco’s Pizzeria, Boulevard SWAG and tickets for three beers of your choice after the tasting is complete.

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Lucky four day weekend for this beer drinker. And iTap’s Stone release event started it off. I think I counted about 6 or 7 deep at the bar. Waited 30 minutes to unsuccessfully get a (second) beer. Was a little disappointed in the service at iTap, but not in the beer.

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Yes! I…sorry Goose…WE (my wife and I) are going to the Stone Brewing Company “Total Tap Takeover” at iTap in Soulard (and the fact that I am off work for Good Friday the next day, makes April 21 Better Thursday). According to their website, of the 40 taps that iTap has, 24 of them will be dedicated to Stone. The list:

Stone IPA

Stone Pale Ale

Stone Levitation Ale

Stone Smoked Porter

Arrogant Bastard Ale

OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale

Stone Cali-Belgique IPA

Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale

Stone Ruination IPA

Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine 2011

Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine 2010

Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine 2009

Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine 2007

Stone Old Guardina BELGO Barley Wine

Stone Imperial Russian Stout 2010

Stone 14th Anniversary Ale

Double Bastard Ale 2010

DDH Stone IPA

DDH Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale

Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Bean

Stone Smoked Porter with Chipotle

Stone Smoked Porter Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Arrogant Bastard Ale Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Stone Imperial Russian Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels 2008

I have only ever had Stone’s Arrogant Bastard Ale, so this is going to be a treat. My only problem will be deciding which Stone beers to try–I can’t possibly try them all can I?

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Bear witness to my demise. Last Friday, I drank nearly an entire growler of the Imperial Vanilla Bourbon Porter from Ferguson Brewing Company (not terribly proud of this). I think I’m still feeling it. Such a good beer.